Preparing for Commencement

Commencement is a formal academic graduation ceremony and it is university policy that all students participating in the ceremony (processing with the graduating class and appearing on the stage) are required to wear academic regalia (cap and gown).

National Achiever Services is proud to partner with the University of Puget Sound for your Commencement regalia and announcement needs. For our sustainable-minded campus, National Achiever is offering Renew™ regalia. Learn more about the Renew™ gown.

There are two ways to order your cap & gown:1. Order online (March 31st will be the last chance to order your cap and gown before incurring late fees)2. Attend Grad Fair (times and location below) and order in person

In a festive setting, enjoy treats while you order your cap and gown, take professional graduation portraits, and access university personnel and resources in preparation for the next chapter of your Puget Sound experience.

Professional PhotographsA professional photographer will be on campus to take the classic portrait of you in cap and gown at the Grad Fair on March 2 and 3. There will be regalia on site for your photograph. These photos are taken without obligation to purchase. Picture proofs will be sent to you individually via email following the event. Please look for the email message to come from GradImages.

During the Commencement Ceremony on May 14, a photographer will snap your picture as your receive your diploma. An email message will be sent to you within days of the ceremony with instructions about viewing your Commencement Ceremony photos. These photos are available online to view without obligation and may be purchased directly from the photographer's website. For more information contact Grad Trak Graduation Images.

A family member or friend can pick up the cap and gown for a graduate who cannot attend during these distribution hours. A note of pick-up approval from the graduate, or a receipt of purchase is required.

A last-chance distribution is scheduled for Sunday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the garden level in Jones Hall. Master’s and D.P.T. graduates will receive their hoods during their departments’ hooding ceremonies.

Let's make sure your full name is pronounced correctly as you walk across the stage to receive your diploma. If from experience you find that people sometimes mispronounce your first, middle, or last name, Academic Dean Kris Bartanen invites you to help her practice at a name pronunciation session.

Hometown News ReleaseLet family and friends back home know about your upcoming graduation—publicize your achievement in your local newspaper by completing a hometown news release form. Puget Sound's Office of Communications staff will prepare a news release featuring your graduation from the university and distribute it to newspapers you identify in your local community.

Graduates' Virtual Guide to CommencementVisit the Commencement website in May to access important ceremony instructions. You'll find out how to line up with your classmates for your last student walk across campus, what to do when you are called to approach the stage, and many more important details. There will be no ceremony rehearsal, so it is vital that you read this information to be prepared for graduation day.

Commencement EtiquettePlease respect the dignity of the Commencement Ceremony by dressing appropriately, showing good manners, and refraining from use of alcohol. Washington state law and university policy prohibit consumption of alcohol in public areas and on the Puget Sound campus. Complying with state and university regulations and promoting good behavior will help ensure that you, your fellow classmates, and your guests will have an enjoyable Commencement experience.